Estonia Issues Hazard Warning as Temperatures Plunge to -30C
Estonia's Environmental Agency has issued a first-level hazard warning for the mainland as an anticyclone over Finland drives temperatures down to dangerous lows, posing a significant risk of hypothermia.
- —Estonia's Environmental Agency has issued a first-level weather hazard warning due to a severe cold snap, with temperatures expected to drop significantly across the mainland.
- —Temperatures on February 1st are predicted to reach -25 to -27 degrees Celsius, with some areas experiencing lows of -30 degrees, posing a risk of hypothermia.
- —The warning advises residents to dress warmly and limit outdoor exposure, though it does not apply to the larger islands of Saaremaa, Hiiumaa, and Muhu.
- —The cold is attributed to a cold anticyclone over Finland, with forecasts indicating continued very cold weather into the following week, though gradually moderating.
- —Nighttime temperatures are expected to remain below freezing, with inland areas potentially dropping to -28 to -30 degrees Celsius on Monday night.
Recap
The official hazard warning underscores a sustained and dangerous weather event, not merely a brief cold spell. The primary threat is hypothermia, a direct consequence of the prolonged exposure to extreme sub-zero temperatures affecting the Estonian mainland. This situation requires public adherence to safety advisories until the weather pattern moderates later in the week.